STB records
is about to unleash its next release with all indications pointing to a quick
sell out the same day, likely within minutes. If you're new to the label you must
understand that first and foremost if you want to get your grubby hands on one
of their dazzling vinyl outputs you must plan weeks in advance to be sitting at
your computer ready for clicking buttons at the tick of the release clock. The
last several releases have sold out completely in their limited versions within
the same day, some within 5 minutes time. Not only does he craft excellent
packages custom suited for Die Hards and not-so-standard Joes alike, but for
the most part the music is the shining star.
I will say
with confidence the music is the focal point with the next split release by
like-minded bands from worlds apart geographically. Sweden's
- Le Betre, and Rochester New York's - King Buffalo join forces to show the world what happens when you mix
wind and fire. I will vouch for STB Steve himself and profess that he was the
driving force behind the Le Betre wildfire which spread across the stoner/blues
undergrowth like fire in an arid mountain windstorm late in 2013 with their
debut album Melas. I remember seeing his recommendation for the band first and
went straight to their Bandcamp and if memory serves right, I was the first
digital purchase on their bandcamp via an actual fan account. Love at first
listen and the price was around $12 US dollars at the time. That means it was
fantastic in my opinion to pay that much for a digital. They have since put the
disc out on vinyl and signed with STB records for good reason.
On the split
Le Betre bring a solid line of progression following their previous debut,
Melas. Raspy vocals drench the smokey distorted groove throughout their 5-song
set. Right out of the bottle the psychedelic fuzz is in full effect on Gowns
and Crowns. Intense blues based melody clouds the air as the tried and true
vocalist scorches the microphone with a crackling bluster of infectious fury.
As meaty as it is exquisite, the riffs ooze across the speakers like bacon
grease spatters a master chefs apron while the aroma enlightens the hungry
patrons senses. There is nothing on Le Betre's side of the, sure to be
impeccable vinyl, record that will have you in any doubt that the band is onto
something spectacular. Sounding somewhat as if Bruce Springsteen grew a bigger
set of balls and smoked some weed with Willie Nelson, Le Betre capture the
essence of shear rock and roll, while maintaining the stoney haze of retro blues.
In a similar
way to Le Betre, King Buffalo have been on the underground radar for quite some
time now after the release of their mind bending 3-song demo late in 2013 as
well. I was at a loss for words upon first discovering the band as evidenced by
my bandcamp blurb about the demo. It's no surprise that upon hearing of the
news that King Buffalo would be paired with Le Betre, both bands I was already
in love with, I felt like a fat kid on the bank of Willy Wonka's chocolate
river awaiting the go ahead to dive in.
King Buffalo bring a
psychedelic tone eerily similar to a favorite Canadian band of mine called Biblical. Undercut with juicy stoner riffs and reverberated vocal
moans, King Buffalo combat the retro rock sensibilities of Le Betre with a more
hallucinogenic approach. The intoxicating melodies are underlain by enchanting
bass-lines and brooding solo runs that float effortlessly in a current of mild
distortion and a spirit of mass confusion painting the picture perfect
perma-smile. Running just a hair shorter on their 3-song set than Le Betre on
their 5-song outing, King Buffalo's side of the 12 diameter disc is loaded with
style and class. Providence
closes out side B with a 10+ minute opus of psych infused jams and is clearly
the highlight for King Buffalo. However, for me the split side leaves me still
yearning for a full length from these guys. I feel as if this is another demo/tease
being only 3 songs, which understandably is perfect for the split and concept
presented. All in all the split is totally successful at hitting its marks. I
just had such high, perhaps unrealistic, expectations for King Buffalo, and
they were a bit eclipsed by the prowess of Le Betre this go around.
No matter who
the "winner" is on this split, what better way to follow up the
goliath of a split that was Goya / Wounded Giant, review here, than
with another stellar pairing on the opposite end of the war path. Balancing the
uber heavy doom riffs from one release to the elegantly evocative vibe on this
split, STB is hitting a new stride of perfection. Whereas I gave the Goya /
Wounded Giant a 50/50 split, I score this one a 70/30 in favor of Le Betre. I
highly recommend you spend the money and take a stab at owning one of these
this Saturday February 21st, 2015. Congrats to Steve STB on this masterful
pairing. Indicative of a good set of ears and the vinyl release is no doubt
first class and compulsively crafted as it is consumed. Until next time!
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